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Turks & Caicos’ Dive Hot Spot Conserving Tobago’s Reefs Lion of the Sea Truth about the Spine
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April - June 2010
Ta b l e o f C o n t e n t s
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DIVE HOT SPOT
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CONSERVATION CORNER
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REEF AWARENESS
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MARINE LIFE EXPLORED
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DIVE STORIES
South Caicos’ Deep Blue
Conserving Tobago’s Reefs Lion of the Sea
Truth about the Spine
Dive Expedition Lessons Cover Photo by Jim Catlin Boulder Brain Coral photographed in South Caicos
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Publisher Caribbean Footprints Co. Ltd. Publication Design & Layout Ife Smenkh-Ka-Ra Copy Editor Cheryl Ng Foon Contributing Writers Arielle Aberdeen Jim Catlin Tadessa Harper Diana Vernette-Melville
FOR ADVERTISING SALES, PLEASE CONTACT : info@caribbeanfootprints.com
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Contributors Arielle Aberdeen is a 20 year old Advanced Open Water diver and Trinibagonian resident, fairly new to the world of diving. She is currently stuck on land as she completes her law degree. She is in a love affair with diving, the ocean and yoga while dreaming about combining all three. She is eagerly awaiting semester break when she can get her fins back into the water.
Jim Catlin – 27 years old, Dive Master and Tropical Marine Scientist from London in the UK. Began diving in 2001 in Fiji as part of a marine conservation expedition and have since dived all over the world, from Egypt, Thailand and the Solomon Islands to Tobago in the Caribbean. At present I’m working for the School for Field Studies as a Dive Master/ Research Assistant on South Caicos in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Tadessa Harper is an avid, non-fiction novel reader, traveller, and beach goer. She is a native Trinidadian who moved to the United States at the age of 11, where she attended University. A graduate of The Fashion Institute of Technology, she enjoys trolling the streets of New York and London discovering what each city has to offer. Tadessa is thrilled to be a writer for Caribbean REEF magazine, writing about her experiences learning to dive in the Caribbean. Tadessa and her dog Francois now reside in England.
Diana Vernette-Melville is a young marine zoologist and environmental advocate. Throughout her life ,she has been actively involved in numerous environmental organizations and projects. At college, she researched extensively on marine macroflora and macrofauna in seagrass beds in Tobago. Although she is Trinidad born, Diana resides in the sister isle of Tobago, working in the field of environmental protection and management, education, awareness and advocacy. Free-spirited, Diana is also an avid nature-seeker, SCUBA diver, freelance environmental writer and poet. At every available opportunity ,Diana escapes to Trinidad to spend time with her two parents and her younger sister, Cindy. 4
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Editor’s Letter
At the beginning of 2009, at 24 years old, I wanted to embark on a new challenge. I pursued a Reef Conservation SCUBA scholarship with Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) in Tobago. After making extraordinary friends and experiencing some of the most exhilarating diving experiences with CCC, I was left craving for more underwater adventures.
Caribbean REEF Magazine is an ONLINE magazine. It will be published quarterly and contain articles which cover dive destinations in the Latin American and Caribbean regions. This publication explores the marine environment, and how to protect and enjoy it. The magazine strives to highlight the hard work by volunteers and conservation groups. It is for the diving buffs and those who wished they could dive but never had the guts to jump in. Caribbean REEF is for the young, the old and those interested in discovering the unknown in the underwater world.
Eventually, I observed that most magazines with Caribbean content made only token mention of Caribbean and Latin American reefs (one or two pages if so many). The lack of informative reef- related issues became frustrating and it was then that I recognized the need for a publication that deals with marine life and the vol- I hope you enjoy our first issue; let us know what you unteer work of countless conservation groups within think of it by writing to us or visiting www.Caribbeanthe Latin American and Caribbean regions. I jumped ReefMag.com! right in and discovered so many unknown gems in our corner of the world. After learning about marine conservation through Ife Smenkh-Ka-Ra CCC, I felt the need to encourage others to learn more Publisher and Managing Editor about marine life. Now I am proud to be the Managing Director of Caribbean Footprints Publishing Co. Ltd, and publisher of Caribbean REEF Magazine.
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Manta Ray cruising along with two remora fish on tow.
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DIVE HOT SPOT
South Caicos’ DEEP BLU
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Video by Brett Sylvester Matulis
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Turks & Caicos is a diver’s dream, for this issue, we focus on South Caicos.
text and photos by Jim Catlin Where is South Caicos and how do I get there? South Caicos lies on the southern tip of the Caicos Islands archipelago (Turks and Caicos Islands - TCI) and rests on the edge of the Turks Island Passage, a stretch of water more than 7000 ft. deep, giving this area some of the world’s most spectacular wall dives! International access to TCI is via Providenciales (Provo), with eight different carriers running direct flights from the U.S.A., U.K., Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Haiti and Canada, Provo is easily accessible and is the gateway to the largely undiscovered beauty of these islands. With no dive operations currently running on South Caicos itself, trips from neighbouring Salt Cay are the best way to experience this area’s majestic underwa-
ter world. Domestic flights from Provo will have you there in approximately 30 minutes. Salt Cay Divers organise special day trips on request at a cost of $150 U.S per person for two morning boat dives, including tanks and lunch. Full equipment rental is also available for $20 U.S. The boat journey takes around 1hour 20 minutes so weather conditions must be good. Divers can expect uncrowded, beautiful wall diving with a great chance to regularly see Eagle rays, Caribbean reef sharks, large Tiger groupers, Barracudas and some exquisite coral and sponge formations. Visibility is on average over 100 ft. and the water temperature ranges from mid 80’s in the summer to mid 70’s in the winter. A 3-mm wetsuit is recommended but not essential.
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Dive Hot Spot // South Caicos’ Deep Blue A quick look at three of the best and most unique dives new - from corkscrew anemones with resident PeSouth Caicos has to offer: dison cleaner shrimp to colourful Bell tunicates hiding on the underside of densely- plated sheet corals! 1. East Bay Spur – ‘Something special for everyone!’ Between the months of January and April, this is also the perfect place to watch and hear the annual Three distinct tiers ranging from 30 ft to deep makes Humpback Whale migration. Often passing close to East Bay Spur a great dive for beginners, intermedi- the reef wall, you may be lucky enough to see these ates and seasoned pro’s alike. Shallow reef and coral magnificent creatures whilst diving, and if you don’t heads near the mooring make way to a beautiful sandy see them, you will almost certainly hear them singing! plain with scattered coral bommies at around 60ft. Expect to see huge Southern Stingrays dotted across the sand, garden eels peering from their holes and Nurse sharks sheltering under delightfully formed ledges and overhangs. At around 80ft, the sandy plain drops away in spectacular fashion and its time to get vertical! The upper reef wall is simply enchanting and teeming with life. Every nook and cranny turns up something
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Dive Hot Spot //South Caicos’ Deep Blue 2. The Plane –‘Spectacular wall and wreck combo!’
Reef sharks circling above, silhouetted in the light. (South Caicos is one of a handful of places on earth where Eagle rays can be regularly seen in schools The wreckage of a Convair 29A plane lies close to Long of up to 40!) Tiger and Nassau groupers are comCay (a narrow island situated to the south of South Caicos) mon here as well as Green and Hawksbill turtles. If in 60ft of water. Intentionally sunk for recreational div- its big and beautiful your after this is the dive for you ers during the 1970’s after crashing nearby, much of the original structure has since been damaged through tropical storms and hurricanes. However, located within visible distance (100ft.) of the steep wall drop-off, it makes for a captivating end to an undeniably spectacular dive! Descending down the wall, huge stovepipe sponges are accompanied by some of the Caribbean’s largest colonies of sheet and scroll corals, some up to 10ft across! It feels like the edge of the world as the wall plunges down to unfathomable depths! Gazing back towards the sun, you are likely to see Eagle rays and
Photo by Jim Catlin
Eagle Ray easily cruising along, a common sight in South Caicos
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Reef shark found in the pristine waters of South Caicos
Dive Hot Spot
3. The Catacombs – ‘An explorers dream!!’ The Catacombs is situated on the East coast of South Caicos and really is an explorer’s dream. The upper reef flat at around 50ft comprises of an intricate network of channels and trenches carved into the rock and encrusted with hard and soft corals. Openings and large crevices can be found disappearing down into the reef at every turn, adding to the anticipation! Following these channels East, leads quickly to a precipitous drop-off descending to 120ft; it is here that the real exploration begins! Large schools of horse-eye jacks and creole wrasse circle below as you descend past impressive sheet coral and barrel sponges inhabited by a whole host of reef fishes, including Stoplight parrots, Blue Chromis and large Cubera Snapper. Conforming to the characteristic spur and groove formation of this region, the wall itself gently undulates back and forth, enticing you 12
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into a plethora of cave passages, swim-throughs Most of these entrances start between 100 and 1 directly back into the reef wall. Some may end ab ity will tempt you further. As these passages wind explorers are rewarded with the remarkable expe ing from the darkness and into the welcoming lig reef flat where they began their dive. A truly mem ter adventure!!
For more information about diving in South Caico with Debbie Manos and Ollie Been at Salt Cay Div tails can be found below. Dive operator – Salt Cay Divers Website: www.saltcaydivers.tc Email : scdivers@tciway.tc Phone: 649 241-1009 Fax : 649 946-6940
Photo by Jim Catlin
Photo by Jim Catlin
Octopus easily camouflaged on the ocean floor
and overhangs. 110ft. and lead bruptly; the majord slowly upwards, erience of emergght of the shallow morable underwa-
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os, get in touch vers. Contact deHawksbill Turtle swimming off into the distance
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Photo by Jim Catlin
Conserving Tob Why not enjoy simple island life and help save coral reefs? Interview by Arielle Aberdeen Photos courtesy JIM CATLIN
For this issue’s conservation corner, we look to Tobago and highlight the Britishbased conservation organization ,Coral Cay Conservation (CCC), which is present on the island to survey the state of Tobago’s reef and help with the country’s conservation effort. Jim Catlin, a British national, and avid diver who just finished a 6- month stint as CCC’s Project Scientist, shares his experience about life in Charlotteville, the project and his love for diving and marine life. 14
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C O N S E R VAT I O N C O R N E R
ago’s Reefs
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Conservation Corner // Conserving Tobago’s Reefs Can you tell us a bit about the conservation project going on at CCC Tobago? Coral Cay Conservation began work in Tobago in March 2007 after initial collaborative efforts with the THA and the Buccoo Reef Trust (BRT) following the Caribbean -wide coral bleaching event of 2005. With support from the UNDP, the Tobago Ecosystem Mapping Project (TCEMP) is providing baseline ecological data on the current status of coral reef, mangrove and seagrass ecosystems surrounding Tobago. Increasing awareness of Tobago’s marine resources is also an important aim of the project, as well as building in country capacity through training and education of Trinidad and Tobago nationals. What is the state of Tobago’s coral reefs? Initial findings from the first two years of data collection are mixed. Hard coral cover has dropped significantly on the Caribbean coast from 22% in 2005 to 16% in 2008, most likely as a direct result of the bleaching event. The good news is, given time and well-directed marine and coastal management, it may be possible for Tobago’s coral reefs to return to 2005 levels. The most encouraging data showed that the reefs around Speyside
(Tobago’s diving hotspot) remained mostly unaffected by the bleaching event. The significantly higher levels of coral cover and fish biomass found here mean that protecting this area in the future will be of critical importance!! For more information and further explanation, check out the annual TCEMP project reports at www.coralcay.org. What exactly was your role at CCC? My role as Project Scientist involved co-ordinating the marine survey effort and ensuring that the quality of the collected data remained as high as possible. This could be anything from helping to train volunteers in marine species identification to organizing and planning the logistics for the upcoming survey dives. I also communicated and maintained relations with our in country project partners. Organizing and running the scholarship programme was also an important part of my job. This involved arranging for two TnT nationals to join the programme every four weeks. Why did you decide to volunteer to become the project scientist at CCC? When I was 18, I volunteered for a marine conservation diving expedition to Fiji and haven’t really Queen Parrotfish at its Teminal Phase, just about to chomp away at some coral, its favourite treat however causes coral degradation
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looked back. Since then, I tried to gain as much experience and as many qualifications as possible so that I could eventually apply for a job with an organization such as CCC. It was 10 years in the making and definitely worth all the effort. What was life like in Charlotteville for 6 months and interacting with the local community? I loved living in Charlotteville. It’s a small Tobago village but has the most picturesque setting imaginable and a certain country town charm. The people were great and very hospitable and the pace of life just as I had imagined the Caribbean would be. Saying that, when something needed to be celebrated ,it was done in style and the town came alive. Some of my best memories are from the Charlotteville Fisherman’s festival; great times I’ll never forget! Working with the local communities in Charlotteville and Speyside was a little daunting at first. As an outsider, you are very aware that people may think you are telling them what to do, or how to live their lives. Gradually, as we continued to work with local schools and became more familiar to the community, it got easier. In Spring 2009, we held a marine conservation march through Speyside that was attended
Photo by Jim Catlin
Fireworm - these may look cute and furry but don’t touch!
by over 150 people and involved 4 local schools. It was great to see this level of support and showed us that with hard work and persistence, progress could be made. Tell us what it is like to be underwater? Diving to me is the closest you can come to space exploration, without paying Richard Branson a small fortune! The feeling of weightlessness is indescribable until you’ve experienced it for yourself. When I’m diving somewhere new, I feel like an explorer on the edge of the known universe, every overhang, rock face or swim through can reveal something new! What was some of the most interesting marine creatures you encountered in Tobago? Tobago has a rich and varied array of marine creatures; there’s something new to see on every dive if you look closely enough. Some of the most interesting marine creatures I encountered included the Slimy Doris (Dendrodoris krebsii), a large species of Nudibranch found only occasionally across the Caribbean. Spongy Decorator Crabs (Marcocoeloma tripinosum) were also amazing, w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m 17
Conservation Corner // Conserving Tobago’s Reefs although very difficult to spot. They are extremely well-camouflaged, covering themselves in marine sponges to avoid predation. Seen on a night dive in Speyside, these crabs prefer the yellow tube sponge due to its abundance in this area. Manta Rays, Dolphins, Caribbean Reef sharks and Nurse sharks. I think Manta Rays (Manta birostris) were the most humbling of all. For such large animals (up to 22 ft. across), they are so graceful and just beautiful to watch. One minute they can be cruising slowly past you, the next they are gone with one flap of their wings. So agile and fast for creatures of that size!
An enormous shoal of silvers sides had gathered in the shallows, creating a ceiling of flashing silver fish as the sunlight shone through them. They moved together like a swarm of bees, changing shape at an instant to avoid Barracudas hunting them from below. Just an incredible sight and one I’ll never forget. There are also Japanese Gardens and Bookends in Speyside had to be my favorite sites. There’s also a great dive on the eastern point of Man O War Bay where it opens to the ocean. Huge submerged boulders, steep rock walls and a massive variety of fish species make this a must for any diver visiting Tobago.
What were some of the best dive spots and memorable dive experiences in Tobago?
What were you able to take away from your time at CCC?
Sisters Rocks off the Caribbean coast where I had one of the best dives during my time in Tobago.
Some great friends, some great memories and a real sense of achievement from the work we did.
Photo by Jim Catlin
Caribbean Reef Squid
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Conservation Corner Nurse Shark - These are docile marine animals
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Slimy Doris - A type of nudibranch commonly found in the Caribbean
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Lion of the Sea
These underwater beauties are more dangerous than you expect... by Diana Vernette-Melville Perhaps sometime in the future, you may go fishing, snorkeling, or even SCUBA diving in and around our beautiful Caribbean seascape. It is possible that during one of these activities, you may encounter a creature which you never encountered before. It will be a beautiful fish, ranging in size from about 6 to14 inches long, with distinctive reddish- brown and white vertical stripes that strongly resemble the patterning on a zebra. The fish is usually seen hovering around coral reefs and near rocks and crevices near the shore and further out at sea. But do not be fooled by its beauty. This fish has highly venomous fin spines that can produce extremely painful puncture wounds on its victim. The animal of which we speak has a name that lends to its highly predatory nature, as it is wellknown for consuming many other organisms living in the oceans. This fish is the Lionfish (Pterois volitans), and it may be soon coming to the seas near you.
Photo by Janeczek Piotr
Lionfish are native to the Pacific, and therefore not found in the Caribbean at this time. However, because of the aquarium trade in Florida and their release from these aquariums during previous hurricane events, these animals have been sighted throughout the entire Caribbean - in Florida, the Bahamas, Bonaire, and even Venezuela. Therefore, it is only a matter of time before the Lionfish invades your island’s waters, if it hasn’t already done so!! Lionfish are voracious predators that will eat native species of fish and crustaceans in large quantities. They are equipped with venomous dorsal ventral and anal spines which they use to maim their attackers, including humans. These fish have a high reproductive rate all year round, and it is expected that their numbers in the wild can become quite large if uncontrolled, as they are not known to have any natural predators. Lionfish grow at a fast rate and are able to outgrow other native species with whom they compete for size and space. w w w . c a r i b b e a n r e e f m a g . c o m 21
REEF AWARENESS // Lion of the Sea Non-native marine fishes such as the Lionfish can pose a major threat to marine fisheries, habitats and eco-system function across the Caribbean. Increased reports of non-native species and the successful invasion of lionfish in Atlantic waters have proven the need for early warning and rapid response to confirmed sightings. Therefore if you do spot the lionfish on one of your outings, DO NOT TOUCH IT! If you must handle the fish to remove it from your hook or net, it is recommended that a gaff be used or a thick pair of gloves. If you happen to be stung by the lionfish, immediately immerse the wound in water as hot as you can tolerate for fifteen minutes and
seek medical attention. Most importantly, if you encounter this creature, whether in your country or not, please contact your local Marine Affairs Department immediately and provide the respondents with the information that they need to aid in combating the spread of this beautiful stranger.
Photo by Coda
Lionfish
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Marine Life Explored
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TRUTH ABOUT THE SPINE
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Photo by Kevin Eddy
MARINE LIFE EXPLORED
Discover the Explored truth about marine Marine Life animals with dynamic spines
by Diana Vernette-Melville As glorious as the sea may be, it is not for the faint of heart. With its beautiful array of corals, fish and algae, it can also prove to be a place of unforeseen accidents and potential perils. The sea is an extremely dynamic environment, one that poses many challenges to the organisms that reside there. For many of them, danger is everywhere, in many shapes and forms. Whether it is in the form of a hunting predator, or in the form of changing current strengths and directions, many organisms fight daily to survive. Therefore, numerous marine animals have evolved physically to adapt to their ever-changing watery residence. Recently, while carry-
ing out my Marine Education and Conservation school visits, I asked a class of about twenty- something seven-year old kids what they thought was the reason for the presence of spines in marine creatures such as the spiny sea urchin. A zealous young man (let’s call him Boysie) jumped right out of his seat to answer. After I stopped him short to remind him that he should always put up his hand in class first, before answering a question, he acknowledged my corrections by nodding eagerly and then replied “Miss, them spines is to kill we humans!” You can of course imagine the uproar of laughter from Boysie’s classmates as well as my sheer amusement. Despite
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this response from the mouth of a babe, I have come to understand that many persons, young and old alike, fear the sea, and its inhabitants because they truly believe that these creatures are out to get them! Let’s be real. Many TV shows, movies and some novels depict the great attacks of animals of the deep blue unto humans for no reason except possibly for the total annihilation of mankind! But it is important for us to understand the purpose of the weaponry possessed by some marine creatures before adopting many of these fallacies and fears when it comes to Marine Exploration. As many marine enthusi-
MARINE LIFE EXPLORED // Truth about the Spine asts may have noticed, marine animals are generally alert and wary creatures. They behave like this because they never know when danger is imminent. Almost all animals are in danger of predation, except for the sharks which are well known apex reef predators. Therefore, a number of marine animals have evolved a variety of morphological and behavioral modifications to protect themselves from potential predators. Take the Porcupinefish (Diodon hystrix), for example. These creatures are generally shy and evasive, often retreating into protective
recesses when approached by divers or snorkelers. With their beige-colored back and small dark spots on their bodies, these animals can pale or darken in attempts to camouflage themselves, when threatened. Porcupinefish are well-known for inflating and erecting numerous spikes when molested, which lend to its resemblance to its terrestrial counterpart, the Porcupine. Porcupinefish are often confused with its cousin, the Pufferfish. However, the spines of the Porcupinefish are much larger and heavier than the Puffer. These simple but sharp
porcupine-like spines radiate outward when the fish is inflated and are meant to ward off ‘bad company’. However, they can produce deep and painful wounds when they come into contact with a predator or an unsuspecting visitor. The Porcupinefish’s spines are non-venomous, but there are a number of other sea inhabitants that employ toxic weaponry to keep the unwelcome at bay. Southern Stingrays (Dasyatis americana) can be found cruising over sand patches in and
Photo by Klaus Stiefel
Porcupinefish Expect this marine animal to increase in size if it feels threatened
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Scorpionfish - not easily spotted, usually camouflaged among coral and on the ocean floor
Photo by Lazlo Photo
Marine Life Explored
around coral reefs, but mostly with their bodies buried in the sand, with their eyes showing just above the sand. Unlike the Porcupinefish, stingrays are quite docile and appear unconcerned, often swimming within close proximity to divers. Stingrays are so gentle, that they have come to accept the presence of humans at a time without fear, as evident at the Stingray Sandbar in the Grand Cayman, where hundreds of people go to feed and swim with the rays, often hundreds at a time. It is only with frequent and unbearable molestation that these animals attack with 26
their whip-like tails. The stingray’s tail has one or two serrated venomous spines at the base of its tail which it embeds in its molester’s flesh during an attack. Stingray venom can be deadly to humans and the spine is said to remain dangerous even after the stingray’s death. It is said in Greek mythology that the mighty King Odysseus of Ithaca was killed when his son, Telegonus, struck him with a spear tipped with the spine of a stingray. Not all spiny sea creatures utilize their spines solely for predator evasion. There are some with
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trusty multi-purpose spines as in the case of Echinoderm (spinyskinned) creatures, such as sea urchins and some sea stars. The Long- Spined Sea Urchin (Diadema antillarum) can be found in almost all marine habitats. This prickly creature is usually all black occasionally with some grayish white spines which break off very easily into the flesh of the unfortunate victim. The embedded spines give off a purple dye, which may cause a slight discoloration under the skin. Apart from the obvious protective purpose of the sea urchin’s lengthy spines, the spines also promote secondary
Photo by Steven Rendell 2008
Marine Life Explored
Spiny Lobster - usually found hidden away in crevices
locomotion and even substrate attachment of the animal. The sea urchin primarily moves via the tubular feet on the underside of the organism; however, spines present under the urchin also assist in movement. Urchin movement is extremely slow but never painstaking (at least for the urchin!). Furthermore, Spiny urchins use their spines to attach themselves to substrates when they are not in motion, to prevent them from being swept away by the changing currents. They embed their spines within substrate cracks and crevices and also vacuum the substrate with their tubular feet to fa-
cilitate immobilization. Some organisms do not rely on tubular feet for immobilization, but trust their ability to camouflage well and do not have to flee from danger, but remain immobilized until they feel the need to relocate. One such creature that exhibits this sort of behaviour is the Scorpionfish. The various species of Scorpionfish of the family Scorpaenidae are cryptic fish that rely on camouflage. This fish family is among the world’s most venomous marine fish species. They simply lie motionless, looking more like algae- covered rocks than fish. Scorpionfish are so called be-
cause if one comes into contact with the foredorsal spines of this fish, it is likely that puncture and envenomation will occur that can cause severe pain and illness. Afflictions on humans by the spines usually occur due to absent- mindedness while walking on the sand or the reef bed, (which is not supposed to happen on the reef by the way!) Scorpionfish are native to the Caribbean and generally common; however, its less cryptic cousin, the Lionfish is a beautiful stranger with a deadly mission. The Red Lionfish, (Pterois voli-
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MARINE LIFE EXPLORED // Truth about the Spine tans) also of the family Scorpaenidae are native to the Pacific but are now known to be rapidly invading Atlantic waters. An attractive fish species, the lionfish, is prized as an aquarium species. However, image is not everything. Despite its obvious beauty, the Lionfish has 13 fin spines that mean business, toxic business. With no known natural
predators in the Caribbean, it is a voracious predator, gobbling up any creature it wants to feed on. When it feels threatened, the Lionfish injects venom into its attacker via its lengthy and graceful spines. They do not use their spines to capture prey and Lionfish do not generally attack humans, unless provoked as seen in previously mentioned
animal attacks. Their stings are not deadly although individual reactions may vary, but they are incredibly painful.
found hiding in reef crevices and recesses during the day and are quite wary when approached by divers. Evolved for the protection of their soft inner bodies, they have short hornlike protrusions above their eyes and along their carapaces and long antennae. Researchers of this species have revealed that the juvenile lobsters are even
spinier than the adults. They have identified that annual fish mortality estimates can reach as high as 78% for newly settled juveniles and larvae on the reefs versus 21% for adults, although these results would vary, depending on time of the year, location and predominance of certain species. This is understandable, as one can imagine
The organisms we have so far identified as armed and dangerous are not usually predated on for food by humans in the Caribbean. Unfortunately, some creatures are avidly hunted by
Photo by Jon Hanson
Red LionfishBeware of their spines
marine predators and humans alike. The Caribbean Spiny Lobster is a perfect candidate for protection and thus has evolved its own assemblage of spinal weapons. The Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus) is among the most hunted marine organisms in the Caribbean. Prized for its large size and delicious flesh, these creatures are often 28
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MARINE LIFE EXPLORED // Truth about the Spine that juveniles and settling larvae face greater challenges in avoiding predators, and thus will have to be awarded the full armor of spines than its elder generation .Lobster catchers often use a gaff or thick PVC gloves when handling these animals simply because their “horns” are short but serious, and are capable of inflicting the most heinous of wounds. Despite its spines, the Caribbean Spiny Lobster predation is still on the rise and these creatures have been identified as an animal that could become endangered in the near future. And there you have it, the real truth about marine animal
spines. So young Boysie (as well as any other “Boysie’s” out there) if you are reading this, these creatures aren’t out to get you, my dear. We feel the brunt of these animal weapons when we as marine visitors are inattentive, or are not alert in the environment which we visit. Sometimes, we humans just don’t understand the science behind these animals’ physical makeup and we unknowingly interfere with or molest them to the point where they only react in the way they know how. Even in the case of the Spiny Lobster, we can see the need for these organisms to be armed for self defence and protection. From the mo-
ment we enter the blue universe below, we, as marine enthusiasts, are expected to keep our eyes peeled and our hands to ourselves to avoid causing any discomfort to our hosts/hostesses and to avoid being maimed. Now that you know you are not the intended target, and your fears have been put to rest, go get your mask and snorkel. Now that you know the truth about spines, shouldn’t you be getting back in the water?
Photo by Sven De Vos
Long Spined Urchin
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DIVE STORIES // Dive Expedition Lessons by TADESSA HARPER It was the usual sunny, breezy, day on the island of Tobago. I was heading out to a dive site just off ManO-War Bay to do my deep-water dive. At this point, my confidence level was fairly high.
air was constantly escaping through it. I informed the Dive Master and he took two of my weights off and we continued the dive. About five minutes later, I decided it was best for me to surface. It was impossible for me to continue as the leak worsened and I was accompanied by my friend, Tanya, a more expe- my breathing became laboured. rienced diver who had recently completed a 25-m I gave the signal to Tanya and the Dive Master that dive at Speyside. Our Dive Master took us out to I was surfacing but they should continue their dive. Sister’s Rock on the diving map, one of the farthest I started ascending slowly, without a safety stop as dive sites in Tobago. I tried to keep an eye on Tanya and the Dive Master We loaded the equipment onto the boat and shimbut visibility was very poor, because of the strong currents over the past few days. I started to panic a bit but looked at my depth gauge and saw that I was almost at the top. Once I reached the surface, I began to inflate my BCD and realized that I was not close to the boat. In fact, it was far away and moving away from me, towards deeper waters. I used my whistle to get the diver’s attention but the sound fell on deaf ears. I couldn’t even see the bubbles from the divers below. I struggled to keep myself afloat even though I kept pressing the air button on my BCD. I eventually removed the weights from my weight belt. I immediately panicked when I saw that I was almost out of air. I wasn’t sure when Tanya and the Dive Master would surface and the boat was moving further away. What if I run mied into our wet suits. About twenty-five minutes out of air and have to abandon my equipment? What later, we arrived at the site. As we started getting if I get tired of swimming? ready and I realized that my BCD (buoyancy control About 20 minutes later, the boat turned around and device) had a minuscule leak. I didn’t think anything started coming in my direction. I stopped swimof it as the leak was barely noticeable- this was my ming, made the signal of distressed diver at the first mistake as we proceeded with the dive. surface and blew my whistle. I saw when the boat Once we were underwater, Tanya and I were having driver picked up Tanya and the Dive Master. The boat a great time and in complete awe at the coral and was still moving in my direction, but I was quickly variety of fish swimming casually by us. There were running out of air. I looked back and saw the boat beautiful parrot fish and schools of wrasse slowing coming closer. I made the distress signal again and I down curiously to look at us. saw the Dive Master pointing in my direction. Finally, As we began descending, I realised that I had a they found me! I swam to get closer to the boat. problem maintaining my neutral buoyancy because I immediately felt relieved and collapsed on the deck of the leak. The leak was actually a malfunction of of the boat. Lesson learned - never continue a dive my release valve. I could not close the valve and the when you discover a problem before going under. 30
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